I’ve been searching for scholarships since I finished high school, and I think the Abbott and Fenner scholarship might be a scam. I added it to my spreadsheet at first, but now I’m seeing some red flags. Here’s why:
The website’s copyright date hasn’t been updated since 2017.
All the images on the website are stock photos. A quick reverse image search shows them used on other websites too.
The people shown in the photos don’t seem to be connected to the company, which is unusual for a business trying to look trustworthy.
They don’t list any team members or staff, which makes it harder to verify their legitimacy.
Their ‘About Us’ page is very short and doesn’t explain much about what they actually do.
No full address is provided, just the name of a city. Wouldn’t they want to share more details?
There’s no email or phone number on their contact page, just a form to fill out.
The privacy policy is unusually short compared to most companies, which usually have lengthy, detailed policies.
Googling the company only brings up links related to the scholarship—there’s nothing about the company itself or any reviews.
I hope this post helps others avoid wasting time applying to something that looks shady. Be careful and check for these signs before applying to scholarships.
I actually got the Abbott and Fenner scholarship a few years ago. I wrote a short essay and received a check in the mail. I found the scholarship through my high school’s list of opportunities. Back then, I was skeptical too, but I took the risk, and it worked out for me.
If you’re still unsure, try reaching out to past winners. Best of luck if you decide to apply!
@Juno
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s always good to be cautious when searching for scholarships. As a parent who helps families navigate scholarships, I know how valuable they can be.
Arlen said: @Juno
Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s always good to be cautious when searching for scholarships. As a parent who helps families navigate scholarships, I know how valuable they can be.
Do you have any tips or resources for scholarships? My daughter and I sometimes feel stuck in our search.
@Nyx
I’ll email you my top 10 scholarship tips. Check your inbox for a message from info@how2winscholarships.com. If it’s not there, look in your spam folder.
Arlen said: @Nyx
I’ll email you my top 10 scholarship tips. Check your inbox for a message from info@how2winscholarships.com. If it’s not there, look in your spam folder.
Can you add me to your email list too? I’d appreciate any tips for finding scholarships as a senior.
Arlen said: @Nyx
I’ll email you my top 10 scholarship tips. Check your inbox for a message from info@how2winscholarships.com. If it’s not there, look in your spam folder.
I’ll email you too! I’m working on my Master’s at 59, so I might not qualify for many, but it’s worth a try.
I don’t think this scholarship is a scam. It’s listed on Fastweb, which verifies scholarships before adding them. I also found winners on LinkedIn, which adds credibility. If you’re still unsure, it’s okay to skip it, but I’d encourage you to apply.
Thanks for sharing this! I emailed them to clarify the essay prompt, but they just redirected me back to their website. It felt shady that they didn’t directly answer my question.
Marin said:
The website lists past winners, though. Since you don’t have to pay to apply, what would they gain from running a scam?
[Deleted]
I won this scholarship in the past. If you’re skeptical, try finding winners on LinkedIn or Facebook to verify their profiles. Feel free to PM me if you have questions.